Loose leaf binder structure



J. H. ROUSH LOOSE LEAF BINDER STRUCTURE Filed April 21, 1966 INVENTOR John Heme/"f Rou sh J @gddfl ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent 3,351,065 LOOSE LEAF BINDER STRUCTURE John Herbert Roush, 2909 Hermosa Ave., Hermosa Beach, Calif. 90254 Filed Apr. 21, 1966, Ser. No. 552,359 1 Claim. (Cl. 129-18) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE A notebook having a back and a pair of swingable covers is provided with a plurality of spaced rings which extend through openings in the cover for interlocking with a base element. A rib having a plurality of notches is on the base and each ring includes a central web extending through the cover for receipt in a corresponding notch, to the end web and rib cooperate to preclude relative shifting of the rings and base.

The present invention is a continuation-in-part of my copending application, Serial No. 303,468, filed August 13, 1963 and entitled Loose-Leaf Binder Structure, now abandoned.

This invention relates to loose-leaf binders, and more particularly, to binders of the type adapted to receive flexible leaves having precut slots in the marginal edges thereof.

It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a binder structure wherein ring elements are secured to a base member through slots formed in the cover or back portion of a notebook, to the end that the parts are releasably connected to thereby eliminate the need for conventional riveting or adhesive operations to secure the rings to the notebook binder.

Another object of theinstant invention is the provision of a binder having means thereon for insertion within marginal edge slots of flexible leaves, which means permit the simultaneous insertion or removal of a plurality of such leaves so as to require a minimum of time and effort to accomplish the insertion and the removal thereof.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a loose-leaf binder for binding a plurality of flexible leaves, illustrating the interconnection thereof with the device which forms the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, exploded, perspective view thereof;

FIG. 4 is an end elevational view thereof, parts being shown in section to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 5 is a cr0ss-sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a ring element for the device; and

FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, plan view of a portion of a flexible leaf adapted for use with the instant invention.

The releasable ring structure of the present invention is adapted for use with a notebook having a back 10 with a pair of covers 12 hingedly mounted thereon. A base 14 comprising an elongated channel 16 has three upstanding, longitudinally extending ribs 18, the latter having aligned, transverse notches 20 therein for corresponding arch elements 22. Channel 16 comprises a pair of spaced, upwardly extending legs 24 having inwardly extending, hook-like projections 26 thereon presenting a mouth therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 3, each arch element 22 is substantially U-shaped to present a pair of downwardly extending, parallel sides 28 terminating in ends 30. Each end 30 is provided with an integral hook 32 having an outwardly extending barb 34, each hook being inset to pre sent a bottom abutment or face 36 on each end 30. A vertical web 38 is secured centrally within arch element 22 between sides 28 with a portion of the web extending below hooks 32.

A row of apertures 40 extends along back 10, each aperture having a neck 42 interconnecting a pair of opposed square openings 44 at the ends thereof. To assemble the notebook, base 14 is positioned to underlie back 10 with notches 20 being aligned with corresponding necks 42, whereupon elements 22 are inserted into respective apertures 40 with web 38 being guided through neck 42 and hooks 32 being guided through openings 44. The distance between projections 26 is slightly less than the distance between hooks 32, whereby forcing of the latter downwardly urges projections 26 outwardly until barbs 34 are below corresponding projections 26, whereupon legs 24 spring inwardly and resiliently embrace hooks 32 to releasably interconnect elements 22 and base 14.

Legs 24 are sprung outwardly when the binder is assembled as shown in FIG. 4 to the end that the longitudinal edges thereof are biased against. backing 10. The insertion of web 38 into notches 20 preclude longitudinal slipping of element 22 with respect to base 14, and faces 36 engage the inner surface of back 10 to hold the latter against base 14. Base 14 and elements 22 are preferably constructed of a flexible plastic material so that the same will readily yield for the locking operation. Also, plastic components are relatively inexpensive and may be easily formed by molding operations.

Each element 22 includes a loop or band 45 which is provided with a cylindrical, innermost face 46 and an outer periphery 48 opposed to face 46, periphery 48 being provided with a pair of surfaces 50 and 52 converging toward each other to present a leading edge 54 which is arcuate and surrounds band 45 for a purpose hereinafter described (FIG. 5). Band 45 is thu substantially triangular in transverse cross section between ends 30 thereof.

The notebook is adapted to be utilized with flexible leaves 56, for instance, loose-leaf paper, having marginal edge slots 58 therein disposed along one side edge 60 of each leaf 56. As is clear in FIG. 7, slots 58 are each provided with a pair of opposed cars 62 having end edges 64 and a pair of opposed side edges 66 disposed at each end of the end edge 64. It is evident that a throat 68 is formed by the opposed end edges 64 of ears 62, throat 68 opening up into a wedge-shaped portion 70 which is substantially complemental to the transverse cross section of the bands 45. Slots 53 are disposed in edge 60 of each leaf 56 in a spaced relationship to be aligned with bands 45 when edge 60 is brought into proximity with the latter.

When it is desired to secure leaves 56, slots 58 are brought into proximity to the corresponding bands 45 and substantially overlie the latter prior to the insertion of the bands within slots 58. Bands 45 are inserted into slots 58 by first directing the leading edge 54 of each band 45 into the throat 68 of the corresponding slot 58, whereupon the end edges 64 of ears 62 engage the corresponding surfaces 50 and 52 to swing the ears 62 in a manner to open or enlarge throat 68. As band 45 extends further into the corresponding slot 58, the surfaces 50 and 52 will eventually engage the wedge-shaped, innermost edge 72, thus preventing further movement of the band into slot 58. The innermost face 46 of band 45 then is substantially within wedge-shaped portion 76 to permit the ears 62 to snap back and move in a direction to close throat 68. Thus, band 45 is received within slot 58 with the innermost face 46 thereof in complemental engagement with the innermost side edges 66 and surfaces 50 and 52 thereof in complemental engagement with the Wedge-shaped edge 72.

Although the insertion of a single leaf 56 on bands 45 has been described, it is clear that a plurality of such leaves 56 may be simultaneously inserted on bands 45 due to the flexibility of ears 62 of each slot 58. Thus, a considerable saving in time and effort may be obtained by inserting a large number of leaves 56 at one time. The bands may be inserted downwardly in a straight line through a thick stack of. leaves when the elements are to be secured to base 14, rather than having to load only a few pages at a time.

To remove a leaf 56 or a number of such leaves 56, the user of the binder formed with device 20, merely grasps the normally top edge 74 of a leaf or leaves 56, and pulls edge 74 in the direction of normally lower edge 76 of the corresponding leaf 56 (FIG. 1). By virtue of the flexibility of ears 62, leaf 56 is removed from bands 45, it being clear that innermost face 46 of each band 45, forces ears 62 in a direction to open throat 68 when edge 74 is pulled in the aforementioned manner.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A binder for a sheaf of flexible loose leaves of the kind having a plurality of spaced, marginal edge slots, each defining an inner, open portion and an outer, relatively narrow notch providing an access to said inner portion, said binder comprising:

an elongated back portion having a pair of cover portions hingedly mounted on the longitudinal edges of said back portion, said portions each presenting normally inner and outer surfaces;

an elongated base extending along the outer surface of one of said portions in parallel relationship to said edges;

a plurality of arch elements overlying said inner surface of said one portion;

joinder means connecting the elements with said base including hook means on the elements and hookreceiving means on said base releasably interlocked with said hook means; and

abutments on the elements adjacent said hook means,

said elements being substantially U-shaped to present parallel sides terminating in opposed free ends having said hook means thereon, said abutment being spaced from said ends and engaging the inner surface of said one portion when said ends are interconnected with the base,

said one portion having spaced apertures formed therein and clearing the joinder means,

each of said apertures including a transverse neck communicating with openings at the opposed ends thereof, there being a rib extending parallel between said channel legs and having notches therein aligned with said necks, each of said elements having a vertical web secured centrally thereof and extending below said ends whereby the latter are inserted through a respective opening, and said web is inserted through a corresponding neck into a notch when said barbs and projections are interlocked to thereby preclude relative longitudinal movement of the base and elements,

said abutments engaging the inner surface of said one portion whereby the latter is releasably clamped between the base and elements.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,428,377 9/1922 Jewell 129-18 X 1,615,493 1/1927 Trussell 129-1 X 1,807,390 5/1931 Crosby 129-1 2,322,180 6/1943 Vernon 129-1 X 2,371,474 3/1945 Seelman 129-1 2,582,953 1/1952 Bender 129-1 FOREIGN PATENTS 921,306 1/1947 France.

590,43 1 7/1947 Great Britain.

707,361 4/1954 Great Britain.

120,937 2/1948 Sweden.

JEROME SCHNALL, Primary Examiner. 

